In the Hastings castle, Ophelia saw Mary off and did a walk-through of the castle to see that everyone did their tasks.
"It seems you have grown closer to Mrs Sterling," said Alice.
"I have. Everyone has misjudged her because she married a man older than her. It wasn't her choice to marry him, but the choice of the family who pushed her into his arms. She understands what it feels like to be in my shoes, and best of all, I can be myself around her," Ophelia said, reminiscing on her time with Mary.
"Do you bond with her because she had an arranged marriage?"
"No, that was never why I became friends with her. Mary is a very mature and wise woman. She sees that I am Lady Hastings and gives me the respect that I deserve. She could have followed the crowd and hated me to save herself from being further ousted, but she didn't. I like her because she is herself," Ophelia explained.
